But on a recent trip to Timor-Leste in May — a country in the South Pacific only slightly larger in size than the state of Connecticut — I found budgeting more difficult than ever. The country comprises half of Timor Island — which it shares with Indonesia — and is known for its unspoiled waters and vibrant coral reefs.

It’s one of the world’s least-visited countries, making airfare and hotel rates more expensive than many countries in Asia.

Timor-Leste is on the United Nations’ list of the world’s least-developed countries. It’s also one of the more expensive countries in the region because of high trade costs, according to Development Asia. In addition to the centavo, which is only minted in coins, the country uses the US dollar, too — a stronger currency than what’s used in nearby countries, including Indonesia and Australia.

Here’s a breakdown of what I spent in Timor-Leste.

Cost of return plane tickets from Bali to Dili: $500

Getting to Timor-Leste isn’t easy. When I was traveling, Bali, Indonesia, and Darwin, Australia, were the only cities with flights to Dili, the capital, where the country’s only international airport. Only two airlines — the Indonesian low-cost carrier Citilink and the local airline Aero Dili — fly between Bali and Dili. The flight from Bali is less than two hours long, and while there are no direct flights from the US to Bali, stopovers through bigger airports such as Singapore and Tokyo are often used.

I booked a return ticket with Citilink about three weeks before departure for $500 — which was about $100 cheaper than Aero Dili. This included a front-row seat reservation and a 44-pound checked-bag allowance.

Cost of hotel stay for three nights: $500

Timor-Leste has only a handful of three-star hotels and no luxury accommodations. While Hilton plans to open a hotel in Dili’s business district later this year, there were no international hotel chains when I visited.

Many travelers stay in guesthouses by the beach, which have only basic amenities such as fans and mosquito nets. I booked an entry-level room for three nights at Timor Plaza Hotel & Apartments for about $500, including tax.

While the room itself was basic — and had its fair share of critters — the hotel had a stunning view of Atauro, one of Timor Leste’s two offshore islands. It was also above a small mall, which made eating out easy.

Cost of transportation: $90

Ride-hailing services weren’t available in Timor-Leste, and taxi services were limited to the city center. I was quoted $20 an hour to rent a car, and I wasn’t willing to pay $200 for a day.

Fortunately, I met a local guide who charged $30 a day to tour me around Dili on a scooter. I found it an inexpensive and efficient way to travel from the gorgeous white-sand beaches to the beautiful tropical mountains.

Cost of food: $180

Food in Dili is surprisingly international. Despite Timor Leste having only a handful of international food chains — including Burger King and Gloria Jean’s Coffees — Western food such as burgers is ubiquitous. I ate mostly local Timorese food and Indonesian fare.

I’d set a daily budget of about $60 for meals, drinks, and snacks for my guide and me. While a plate of nasi goreng — Indonesian fried rice — costs about $3 to $4 in Bali, I paid about $15 for the dish in Dili. At a local café, I paid $8 for a small plate of jackfruit, carrots, lettuce, and tortillas.

Miscellaneous costs: $415

Before my trip, I spent $15 on an eSIM and $20 on travel insurance. When I arrived in Timor-Leste, I had to pay $30 for the visa-on-arrival, which allowed me to stay in the country for 30 days.

Souvenirs in Timor-Leste are expensive. I purchased a small handmade bag and sarong from the local Tais market — a type of weave indigenous to the country — for about $70. I snagged a handmade belt at another shop for $30. I bought several bags of Timorese coffee — the country’s second-biggest export — for $50.

I didn’t expect to find Western makeup products in Timor-Leste, so I bought a few items when I did find them at a local grocery for $70, a substantial markup compared with what they cost on retailers such as Amazon.

I didn’t spend much on sightseeing as most of my time was spent swimming at the beach and exploring the tropical mountains. For activities, I spent $30 on a massage at a traditional Chinese spa and $50 on a half-day scuba diving trip at the coast. I budgeted about $50 for tips.

While traveling to Timor-Leste was expensive, the stunning views were worth it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Correction: July 25, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the size of Timor-Leste. It’s slightly larger than the state of Connecticut, not smaller.